Being rich in tradition, Japan has strong cultural norms for how people should act. Japanese business has many traditions still used today. It is tradition for the Japanese to be very gracious

Being rich in tradition, Japan has strong cultural norms for how people should act. Japanese business has many traditions still used today. It is tradition for the Japanese to be very gracious hosts. They pick clients up from hotels, airports, and provide interpreters. One main and very strong tradition for Japanese business is jobs for life. There is a promise when first hired and it is thought that you will retire where you begin. The tradition is to stay with a company for life and never switch jobs. Creating a strong bond between the company and employees is a strength because of increased loyalty and a high level tacit knowledge. This can be considered a weakness for the people of Japan because they would not consider leaving for higher wages, look for higher positions, and will not learn as many tasks.

A strong tradition in Japanese business relationships is gift-giving. Gifts are given for meetings and different events. Some countries in the world consider any type of gift a bribe. It is tradition to reject the gift one to two times before accepting it. The gifts are symbolic. Many times food or liquor is considered proper modest gifts. Interestingly, gifts that come in a set of two are considered lucky. Gifts in numbers of four or nine are considered bad. The present given represents the status of the person receiving the gift. The higher someone is ranked in a company the better the gift they receive. Gift giving can be either a strength or a weakness. It can be a weakness because some companies don’t think gifts are appropriate. Others may enjoy it and like participating in a cultural tradition.

Traditionally business cards have great significance and are part of a lengthy ceremony. Exchanging business cards is important because it shows peoples’ status. When handing a business card it is required to use both hands and bow. After receiving the card it is looked over and read and you must try to pronounce the card owners name. The cards are also kept out on a table. This is a strength because it helps you understand the title of the person. This is important in knowing who you are talking to and what their ranking is. It is very important to the Japanese to know the hierarchy of the companies they are doing business with. Traditionally the ranking of someone is very important to them. The ranking has always been important because they want to know what level of authority they are dealing with. This helps the company to know what is going on.

It is customary when in Japan to socialize with the people you are trying to do business with before any negotiating or business talk takes place. The Japanese want to get to know you before doing any type of business with them. They believe that if you can’t get along socially you probably won’t be able to get along in business situations either. It is tradition to have a hot towel and green tea first. This is a really good way to get to know someone. It makes for better communication when negotiating or making a deal later on in the business relationship. When doing business they want to spend the whole day together. Spending time together in the evening is very important. It is hard to get to know Japanese business people, but once you do they are very loyal and very good people to do business with.

When discussing something, traditionally the Japanese say “yes” many times while listening to someone talking. This does not mean that they are agreeing with you. It is a way for them to show that they are listening and paying attention. This can be very dangerous and make someone think that they are making a deal. This is a weakness if it is not understood beforehand that they are saying “yes” as a way of listening.

To conclude, Japanese business has many traditions to follow. Overall this is a great strength for the country because it gives them norms to by and keeps everyone on the same page.

Things to Avoid in Japanese Business Etiquette

• Keep your hands out of your pockets while speaking to someone.

• Being invited to someone's home is a great honor. If one of your hosts extends an invitation, accept wholeheartedly.

• Unlike in China where people openly clear their noses onto the street, blowing your nose in public is generally frowned upon in Japanese etiquette. Excuse yourself to the toilet or go outside to clear your nose. Sniffling to avoid blowing the nose actually is acceptable.

• Avoid pointing at people with a finger to make a point. Pointing, whether with fingers or chopsticks, is considered especially rude in Japan.

• The numbers "4" and "9" are considered unlucky in Japanese culture. The word for four (shi) is the same as the word for death, while the word for nine (ku) can mean suffering. Avoid giving gifts or anything else in sets of four or nine.

• Many rules of Japanese business etiquette follow the rules of saving face. Avoid causing someone to "lose face" by pointing out their mistakes or shortcomings in front of others.

• Tipping is not customary in Japan, and is sometimes considered rude.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04